visiondr
cyclic iconoclast
So, it all comes down to one game. Sad, really, to decide the world champions on a single contest. Still, the game is almost upon us and, as humans do, we will choose sides based on our personal, familial, national, and other loyalties.
The question is: who do you think will win the World Cup?
BTW, I cast my vote for France. Though Germany would have been my first choice to be in the Final. Let's hope for an exciting and fairly played game, and may the best team win!
The question is: who do you think will win the World Cup?
BTW, I cast my vote for France. Though Germany would have been my first choice to be in the Final. Let's hope for an exciting and fairly played game, and may the best team win!
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lubitel
Well-known
For some reason I would like the french to win, but based on a pretty poor game yesterday from both portugal and france, I think Italy has better chances.
Forza Azurri!!!
fgianni
Trainee Amateur
I have put Italy because I support them, but it is really a 50-50 chance.
bobkonos
Well-known
A tough choice, for I love the playing of Zidane and Ribery of France. The Hollywood ending for Zidane's career would be a World Cup victory (his second). But I have been rooting for Italy throughout the World Cup because of their passion, theatrics, and ability. So, Forza Azzuri !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
Marc-A.
I Shoot Film
I'm supporting France for obvious reasons, but I feel Italy team's stronger (French team seemed so exhausted from their struggle against Brazil). So better chances are for Italy, but my heart beats for France.
And to be fair: Allez les bleus & forza azzuri.
Marc
PS: anyway, the champion will be transalpine ... we just don't know from which side of the Alps ;-)
And to be fair: Allez les bleus & forza azzuri.
Marc
PS: anyway, the champion will be transalpine ... we just don't know from which side of the Alps ;-)
fgianni
Trainee Amateur
Marc-A. said:
That's a good one,
pstevenin
Established
I think Italy will win. But till now, all bets I did about France were wrong.
PS: By the way I do not have any TV and I rather prefer practicising than watching sports (soccer is not my cup of tea), and provides me with enough time to play with scans in PS...
PS: By the way I do not have any TV and I rather prefer practicising than watching sports (soccer is not my cup of tea), and provides me with enough time to play with scans in PS...
ravid905
Established
I was so confident of who would be playing, one team anyway, that I booked the day off work three weeks ago so that I would be able to sit and watch with the rest of the world live, one last burst of magic from Zizou before he hangs up his boots for good. Allez les Bleus
Rafael
Mandlerian
Allez les bleus!!! Cannavaro has quite possibly been the best player in the tournament thus far. But the French old guard have woken up. Zidane looked like a tired old player in the first few games of the group stage. But he has really come alive. Vieira and Thuram have also been playing wonderfully of late. My only real concern is Barthez. He could lose the game for them. But I think that France will pull it out.
If France scores first, the final could be a terrific contest. If Italy scores first, I worry that they will just shut everything down and play their game. We'll see...
If France scores first, the final could be a terrific contest. If Italy scores first, I worry that they will just shut everything down and play their game. We'll see...
darkkavenger
Massimiliano Mortillaro
Forza Azzurri! I have french and italian citizenship, and I've been supporting both teams, but sunday, my sicilian blood will speak
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
I don't think I care one way or the other. That is, I would not be disappointed with the result either way. I am not going to get into discussions about which team "deserves" to be there and which not -- the vagaries of officiating are part of the sport, as are results that don't necessarily comport with how well a team played.
I will say this -- I really don't think the final should be decided by penalty kicks. It's a totally inappropriate way to resolve two hours of actual play.
I will say this -- I really don't think the final should be decided by penalty kicks. It's a totally inappropriate way to resolve two hours of actual play.
darkkavenger said:Forza Azzurri! I have french and italian citizenship, and I've been supporting both teams, but sunday, my sicilian blood will speak
My Sicilian blood is with your's
Forza Azzurri!!!!
darkkavenger
Massimiliano Mortillaro
Thanks Rover
Deep breaths Jenni..... So much fire, I am stepping aside when the invation finally comes.
Didier
"Deed"
Italy 60% France 40%
Italy 60% France 40%
Goalkeepers:
Gigi Buffon has been the best keeper so far. Fabien Barthez, who, for me, never was amongst the top keepers of the world, and since several years plays more and more insecurely, is the weakest point of the french team. I can't understand (and AFAIK 90% of the french, too) why coach Domenech prefers him to Gregory Coupet. It's rumoured that Zidane wanted Barthez as condition to come back to the team last fall.
Defense:
Italy has the best, France (where I see Abidal as the Achilles' heel) the second best defense of this tournament, so I do not expect too many goals next Sunday.
Midfield:
I estimate the italian midfield organisation as more versatile than the french. France has only one relay station, Zidane (Ribéry was deceiving so far), while Italy has Pirlo, Camoranesi, Perrotta and Gattuso to organize and distribute the ball. Their cooperation was stunning vs. Germany.
Forward:
Italy has an another advantage in the forward section, where France is limited to one person only: Henry. Italy can vary it's offensive game with Gilardino, Toni, Totti, Del Piero, Iaquinta and not to forget Inzaghi. This might get crucial if it's still draft after one hour, or even more if it goes into a prolongation again.
All in all a clear advantage for ITALY. France's best chance will be if they can score first.
Didier
Italy 60% France 40%
Goalkeepers:
Gigi Buffon has been the best keeper so far. Fabien Barthez, who, for me, never was amongst the top keepers of the world, and since several years plays more and more insecurely, is the weakest point of the french team. I can't understand (and AFAIK 90% of the french, too) why coach Domenech prefers him to Gregory Coupet. It's rumoured that Zidane wanted Barthez as condition to come back to the team last fall.
Defense:
Italy has the best, France (where I see Abidal as the Achilles' heel) the second best defense of this tournament, so I do not expect too many goals next Sunday.
Midfield:
I estimate the italian midfield organisation as more versatile than the french. France has only one relay station, Zidane (Ribéry was deceiving so far), while Italy has Pirlo, Camoranesi, Perrotta and Gattuso to organize and distribute the ball. Their cooperation was stunning vs. Germany.
Forward:
Italy has an another advantage in the forward section, where France is limited to one person only: Henry. Italy can vary it's offensive game with Gilardino, Toni, Totti, Del Piero, Iaquinta and not to forget Inzaghi. This might get crucial if it's still draft after one hour, or even more if it goes into a prolongation again.
All in all a clear advantage for ITALY. France's best chance will be if they can score first.
Didier
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RayPA
Ignore It (It'll go away)
After the US, I like France. I've liked France since the '98 WC, and I've liked Zidane since then too (the first time I saw him play). He is a class act.
I also like France's style of play. I like the "look" of their game, smooth and slippery, efficient, and full of quick deceptive passing. I also like the way they play as a team. They have a likable bunch of players that seem to have a "nose to the grindstone" attitude. It might not be PC for an American to root for France, but if I were a Frenchman I'd be proud to have this team represent my country on an international stage. And if this was the American team, I would be estatic (God knows we could use some good representation on the international level).
No slight intended on the Italian team. They're a great team, too, and Italy should be proud as well. They just don't appeal to my sensibilities as much as the French team does.
I think it'll be a great match, but I'm pulling for France (obviously).
I also like France's style of play. I like the "look" of their game, smooth and slippery, efficient, and full of quick deceptive passing. I also like the way they play as a team. They have a likable bunch of players that seem to have a "nose to the grindstone" attitude. It might not be PC for an American to root for France, but if I were a Frenchman I'd be proud to have this team represent my country on an international stage. And if this was the American team, I would be estatic (God knows we could use some good representation on the international level).
No slight intended on the Italian team. They're a great team, too, and Italy should be proud as well. They just don't appeal to my sensibilities as much as the French team does.
I think it'll be a great match, but I'm pulling for France (obviously).
fgianni
Trainee Amateur
Didier said:
I wish I could agree with you, but if France plays like against Brasil the "Clear Advantage" may become not so clear.
Didier
"Deed"
KoNickon said:
The reason for penalty kicks is to provide a decisive result. The psychological prospect of a penalty shoot-out is intended to push the teams to fight for a tie-break within reglamentary time, hence the term "penalty." If after 120 minutes they have been unable to do it, there has to be a decisive way to end the game without it dragging on forever, because of player and viewer fatigue. Plus, watching a penalty shoot out, whether fair or unfair, is totally exhillerating. I remember the final in USA 94, where Brazil won when Roberto Baggio failed that famous shot.
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